An exceptional and visually striking example of the 10×80 Doppelfernrohr — the anti-aircraft Flak binocular that became the defining observation instrument of the German armed forces in the Second World War. The type was developed following rigorous competitive trials in the early 1930s, with three leading optical firms — Emil Busch, Moeller Wedel, and Ernst Leitz — submitting designs for military evaluation. Busch's prototype was selected for its superior field of view and reduced weight, and production was subsequently distributed among six manufacturers under wartime contract. Emil Busch, Rathenow, wartime code cxn, was the prime contractor and principal producer of the type.
Engineered with a distinctive 45° inclined binocular head, the instrument was purpose-built for prolonged observation of both terrestrial and aerial targets. Its advanced optical performance and robust construction made it indispensable for coordinating artillery fire, anti-aircraft defense, and strategic surveillance under demanding battlefield conditions. Originally designated the searchlight director, it became the standard observation glass of the Flak arm, deployed on every front from the Western Desert to the Eastern Front.
The present example bears the wartime code cxn, denoting manufacture by Emil Busch AG, Optische Industrie, Rathenow — the firm responsible for the original design and the largest share of total production. The body is sand-cast aluminum, hand-polished to a commanding mirror finish, the engraved markings D.F. 10×80 / △ cxn crisp and fully legible. At once a feat of precision engineering and an object of formidable scale, the 10×80 Flak binocular stands among the most iconic optical instruments of the Second World War — highly prized for its historical significance, technical achievement, and striking visual presence.
The binoculars are mounted on a period hardwood-and-brass field tripod with extending legs, brass ferrules, and chrome-capped feet, offering full 360° rotation and elevation adjustment via the original star-wheel locking mechanism. The optics are in excellent condition
An exceptional and visually striking example of the 10×80 Doppelfernrohr — the anti-aircraft Flak binocular that became the defining observation instrument of the German armed forces in the Second World War. The type was developed following rigorous competitive trials in the early 1930s, with three leading optical firms — Emil Busch, Moeller Wedel, and Ernst Leitz — submitting designs for military evaluation. Busch's prototype was selected for its superior field of view and reduced weight, and production was subsequently distributed among six manufacturers under wartime contract. Emil Busch, Rathenow, wartime code cxn, was the prime contractor and principal producer of the type.
Engineered with a distinctive 45° inclined binocular head, the instrument was purpose-built for prolonged observation of both terrestrial and aerial targets. Its advanced optical performance and robust construction made it indispensable for coordinating artillery fire, anti-aircraft defense, and strategic surveillance under demanding battlefield conditions. Originally designated the searchlight director, it became the standard observation glass of the Flak arm, deployed on every front from the Western Desert to the Eastern Front.
The present example bears the wartime code cxn, denoting manufacture by Emil Busch AG, Optische Industrie, Rathenow — the firm responsible for the original design and the largest share of total production. The body is sand-cast aluminum, hand-polished to a commanding mirror finish, the engraved markings D.F. 10×80 / △ cxn crisp and fully legible. At once a feat of precision engineering and an object of formidable scale, the 10×80 Flak binocular stands among the most iconic optical instruments of the Second World War — highly prized for its historical significance, technical achievement, and striking visual presence.
The binoculars are mounted on a period hardwood-and-brass field tripod with extending legs, brass ferrules, and chrome-capped feet, offering full 360° rotation and elevation adjustment via the original star-wheel locking mechanism. The optics are in excellent condition
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